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Castel Sant'Angelo - To Buy or Not to Buy Tix in Advance?

Hello Helpful Travelers,

We'll be visiting Rome for 4 days, on 21 - 24 May, on our way to our first ever tour with RS in Sicily.
Since we've not been to Rome for about 30? 35? years, what would you suggest we see - other than the Coliseum, St Peter's, Sistine Chapel, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Forum. We saw those site way back when so we're not really dying to revisit.

***Which brings me to my title question: should I buy advance tickets to visit Castel Sant'Angelo or no?
And if yes, where? I perused older posts about using the official CSA website but I could not find how to purchase the tickets in advance anywhere on that page.
https://www.tosc.it/en/artist/museo-nazionale-castel-sant-angelo/?affiliate=T2C

I've seen lots and lots of 3rd party sellers offering tickets and have also read lots and lots of complaints (having paid for non-existent/ invalid tickets being the one that raised my hackles!) about said resellers as well.
If I don't need to purchase them in advance because the site never sells out, fine. But having seen tourism grow over the years and many places limit attendance due to them being "over-loved", I like to prepare in advance, within reason.
So, what's the recent, up-to-date stratagem?
Thanks!

Posted by
352 posts

Here is our experience from October, 2023. We got to Castel Sant'Angelo just as the ticket office opened and purchased our tickets. There were maybe 6 people total in line at that time. That being said, if you can find the official website to purchase tickets in advance, go for it. It might be that you'll have to get up in the middle of the night, however, in order to align with Rome time. I truly hope you're able to visit the site, since it's truly amazing.

Posted by
707 posts

We went in September 2023 in the afternoon. The line was short. We did not buy in advance. We just bought them at the gate. The place was NOT crowded.
I think you will be fine buying the tickets when you get there.

Posted by
2687 posts

Thankfully, Castel Sant ‘Angelo is not one of Rome’s top 10 attractions. You should be fine waiting until you’re in Rome to buy your tix.